Anna Coe

Horsham Football Club’s mascot Howie the Hornet paid a visit to one of the town’s day centres as visitors there decorate its adopted elephant.

The club is taking part in the Horsham Rotary Club’s Elephantastic fundraiser and chose to give users of the Strawford Centre for people with learning disabilities the chance to adorn it in green and white.

Horsham FC is one of more than sixty local businesses, groups, organisations and even celebrities who have ‘adopted’ an elephant for this increasingly popular initiative that seeks to raise money for a variety of local causes as well as helping to increase the focus on the town itself.

Mark Wells from the club said: “Just as they did with Titch the Giraffe, two years ago, the Hornets asked their good friends at Strawfords to smarten her up and we’re told that they really enjoyed decorating the pachyderm who they duly christened ‘Esmeralda’.

“Howie the Hornet went along to meet those responsible and proved to be a popular visitor on what was a gloriously sunny day, posing for photographs and getting plenty of cuddles.”

The Strawford Centre is the long-standing charity of Horsham Independent Supporters’ Club. Members have raised much needed funds for the centre over the years.